First United Protestant Church of Hilo

Celebrating over 150 years in ministry

Our History

The story of this historic church goes back as far as 1835, when early missionaries who arrived to the big island began meeting in a stone house that was used by a family that had been converted to a Seaman’s Chapel. This chapel became the place of worship for foreigners and traders who came to Hilo. The early church was known for its hospitality and welcome to sailors who came from whaling and trading ships. The early church’s mission was to provide those sailors with moral and spiritual support. This church eventually received its charter from King Kamehameha V and was founded in 1868, known early on as the First Foreign Church.

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The First Foreign Church completed construction of its second church in 1868. It was built in the style of other New England Churches, and it was known as the “The Meeting House”. The third church was dedicated in 1897, it was a larger church that had a balcony, pipe organ, and stained-glass windows. Some of these items, such as components from the pipe organ and stained-glass windows are now part of the current church.

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In 1954 the name of the church was changed to First United Protestant Church. In 1969, the present church was built. The current church and bell tower is built with stones that supported each of the previous buildings since the 1830’s. Pictures of each church can be found out on the lanai where fellowship is held each Sunday after worship. Today the church is home to a vibrant Kosraean Church, Kamehameha Preschool, and various groups that use the church throughout the week.